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.... Editorial

14th January 2010
In Sympathy

In view of the enormity of the tragedy that has struck our sister-island Haiti, we devote this space to notices and information pertaining to the earthquake and its terrible aftermath. We trust that you, our readers, understand this gesture and direct you, in addition, to see our pages 8 and 9, dealing with this incident.

St Lucia Government Expresses Sympathy and Solidarity with the People of Haiti Following Earth Quake Strike

The Government of Saint Lucia is saddened at the news that the sister Caricom state of Haiti was hit yesterday, January, 12th, 2010 by a major 7.0 Earth Quake. By all indications the Earth Quake, which was the largest to hit that region in over 200 years has brought about major devastation of infrastructure and possible widespread loss of human life.
Even ahead of a full assessment of damage and actually needs following this disaster, the Government of Saint Lucia is committing to providing relief assistance to Haiti under the umbrella of a Caricom response. Government is aware that there are currently emergency talks underway between the Secretary General of Caricom and the Chairman Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerritt on the situation in Haiti. Based on these discussions a decision has already been taken to send a team to Haiti to assess the situation on the ground and produce a response to the Secretariat.
The Government will be issuing a further statement soon to address the matter of public response to the disaster and mechanisms for coordination. The specifics of Saint Lucia’s response within the context of Caricom will also be spelt out soon following the receipt of the assessment report by Caricom.
The disaster in Haiti brings into focus the glaring need for the establishment of an emergency/disaster fund for the Caribbean region. Government expects that the Trinidad & Tobago Petroleum Fund will be mobilized along with input from the wider Caricom for a consolidated regional response to the Earth Quake disaster in Haiti. The Government of Saint Lucia will undertake to advocate within regional forums like Caricom for the establishment of some kind of regional disaster fund to allow for a direct and immediate response to disasters within the Caribbean region.
 
 

Digicel Group Donates US$5 Million for urgent Relief efforts in Haiti

Digicel Group, the largest mobile company in the Caribbean and fastest growing mobile company in Central America, is donating US$5 million in cash to support the urgent relief efforts needed following the widespread devastation caused by the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that hit Haiti yesterday.
Digicel’s donation will be made to the NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations) who are spearheading the relief efforts.
With the impact of the earthquake resulting in considerable casualties and catastrophic damage to homes, buildings and infrastructure, Digicel is appealing to people and Governments across the world to support the people of Haiti in this their time of need.
Digicel is also sending in a team of people to Haiti early on Wednesday to assist in whatever way possible with the relief efforts and to assess the impact on its communications infrastructure which incurred damage but is operational.
Digicel is one of the largest companies in Haiti having launched its mobile services in 2006 – and as the largest foreign direct investor in Haiti today, Digicel is proud to serve over two million customers in Haiti and to be a part of the fabric of Haitian society.
Colm Delves, Group CEO of Digicel, comments; “We are deeply upset and concerned at the news of the earthquake in Haiti and want to do whatever we can to support the desperately needed relief efforts. We hope that governments around the world will also support the people of Haiti and immediately provide much needed aid to assist with the huge recovery efforts that are now needed.
“The people of Haiti welcomed us and made us their own when we launched there in 2007 and we are determined to be there for them in their time of need. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti and we would like to assure them that Digicel stands ready to assist in whatever way we can at this difficult time.

Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the President of the United Nations General Assembly on the earthquake in Haiti

United Nations, New York: 12 January 2010
The President of the General Assembly calls on all Member States to deploy all possible efforts to urgently assist the people of Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake.
The President of the General Assembly sends his prayers to the people of Haiti and to the United Nations personnel who serve in the country.
The President of the General Assembly continues to closely follow developments, and further urges the institutions of the UN system and the entire international community to remain fully engaged in support of the Haitian people in this tragedy.
The President of the General Assembly is H.E. Dr. Ali Abdussalam Treki.

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